News release

Hunters Enjoy Successful Season in 2000

Natural Resources (to July 2018)

Nova Scotia hunters bagged 17,160 deer during the 2000 hunting season.

Hunters took 10,729 bucks and 6,431 antlerless deer. The Department of Natural Resources issued 25,000 Antlerless Deer Hunting Stamps last season.

Lunenburg and Colchester counties reported the highest registered number of deer taken at 2,429 and 1,805, respectively. All counties except Antigonish, Guysborough, Inverness and Victoria showed an increase in registrations.

"Information received by hunters, together with departmental figures, show that the province's deer herd was in excellent condition and continues to increase in size. In the spring of 2000, it was estimated that the herd size was about 80,000. Another herd size estimate will be conducted this spring," said Natural Resources Minister Ernest Fage. "Wildlife management practices are respected by Nova Scotia hunters, ensuring that our hunting seasons and the wildlife resource will be available in the future."

With an increasing herd size also comes an increase in the number of road kills. Hunting reduces the number of vehicle-deer collisions, as well as nuisance deer situations such as damage to orchards, crops and gardens.

The 2000 moose hunt was the most successful since the hunt was reinstated in the late 1980s. A total of 190 moose were taken, compared to 182 during the last season.

Hunters and trappers also saw an increase in the number of bears taken in 2000 at a total of 319, up from 241 in 1999.

Two hunting accidents, with no fatalities, were reported during the 2000 season.

"We cannot stress enough how important it is to exercise safety precautions when hunting or enjoying our forests," said Mr. Fage. "Hunter safety courses go a long way to reducing the risk of accidents, as does common sense. Ensuring public safety is paramount during hunting season and every day."


NOTE--Following is a breakdown, by county, of the total number of deer bagged during the 2000 hunting season.

Nova Scotia Deer Harvest by County, 1998-2000

County 1998 1999 2000

Lunenburg 1,485 1,986 2,429 Queens 560 617 747 Shelburne 561 530 725 Yarmouth 558 633 768 Digby 392 528 536 Annapolis 457 605 671 Kings 496 775 855 Halifax 1,071 1,230 1,379 Hants 1,114 1,401 1,535 Cumberland 1,058 1,414 1,384 Colchester 1,382 1,639 1,805 Pictou 1,158 1,377 1,508 Antigonish 469 631 605 Guysborough 669 713 710 Inverness 456 508 399 Victoria 125 81 30 Cape Breton 365 428 461 Richmond 434 576 541 Unspecified County 76 146 72

TOTAL 12,886 15,818 17,160